Be Vulnerable with Yourself

Posted on May 15, 2012 | Leave a comment

This post is part of a series on Vulnerability.  If you are new here you may want to start with this post.  

Does the idea of sharing your deepest fears and darkest secrets–or even your personality quirks–make you want to throw up?

Do you believe (or worry) the people you love are more interested in what you do for them than for who you are?

Are you afraid if you quit earning your keep, even for a moment, you’ll be “voted off the island?”

Defining Shame

All of these feelings come from the same place:  a deep seeded fear that at our core we are unlovable–and that if anyone finds out, we will be cast out.  Brené Brown explains it best.

Because shame works by making us feel alone,  it’s very hard to talk about it–even to the people who love us most– for fear that if they knew what we were really like they would leave.  Ironically, it is that very act of secrecy that allows shame to maintain its hold on us.

Therefore, talking about shame experiences as soon as they happen with a trusted friend is healthy, beneficial and much easier said than done. Continue reading →

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Posted in Personal Development, Vulnerability

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Discovering Your Cognitive Surplus

Posted on May 2, 2012 | Leave a comment

This summer, I’m turning the Low Hanging Fruit blog over to you.

The only potential downside of this plan is between now and May 30th I need to help you (yes, you personally) see that

  1. you have a valuable  story to contribute, and
  2. you are brave enough to share it.

We should talk!

The easiest way to do that is if you would be so kind as to get in touch with me.  Then, we can talk about you and the amazing impact you are making in your corner of the world and develop a plan for how you can best share that on the internet.  If you are ready to talk, click the link below to schedule a 30 minute chat with me.

I’m ready to chat!

Too Soon?

If the idea of  talking to me one-on-one about the amazing things you are doing kinda makes you want to throw up,  that’s ok.

While I promise I will be absolutely, completely gentle with you– I get how scary it is to put yourself out there–especially the first time.

Would it be easier to talk to me about what your kids are doing? Or what your neighbor is doing?  Or to write a post, take a photo, or make a movie about people who inspire you?

If that’s the case,  I want to hear about it.  Click here to schedule some time to tell me about the amazing people you know.

More Inspiration

I love everything about the story of Caine’s Arcade.  I love how devoted Caine is.  I love how much support he gets from his Dad.  I love the filmmaker who maintained his relationship with his own inner child well enough to recognize genius when he saw it.

Is there a Caine in your world who has something important to teach us?

Tell me about it

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Posted in Admin, storytelling, Summer Showcase

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Do You Equate Boring with Serious?

Posted on April 24, 2012 | 1 Comment
i saw what you did there

see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

Do you believe the only way to become a thought leader in your field is to express yourself in as dry a manner as possible?

Do you use data or graphs your audience won’t be able to read so your opinion seems well-researched?

Do you obfuscate your  meaning with words like obfuscate to make yourself feel smarter?

Do you wonder why you have a hard time bringing outsiders into your fold?

Unless you work in web development, gaming, or some corners of the internet marketing sector, the answer to these questions is most likely yes.  It also explains why if I were to sum up my consulting practice into one sentence it would be:

Stop sapping the awesome out of your inherently amazing work. Continue reading →

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Posted in leadership, Marketing, Organizational Development, Social Media & the Web, writing to be heard

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How to Compile Your Brain

Posted on April 19, 2012 | 3 Comments

Have you ever wondered why software companies are able to crank out so many innovative products while also creating cultures where people really want to come to work?

I think it’s because of the compiler.

Unlike in other professions, a programmer’s workday includes mandatory down-time.  After writing a batch of code, programmers have to take a break while the computer compiles–translates their work from human readable language to machine readable language.  Without this step, the program won’t run.

While the computer does its work, programmers are not expected to feign busyness.  They are allowed, even encouraged, to slack off until the computer finishes.  Thus, when they return to work, not only has the computer had time to compile, but so has the programmer.

The rest of us also write code for a very specialized computer everyday:  our brains.  But unlike computer programmers, we don’t have mandatory compiling opportunities built into our day; we need to create them.  Continue reading →

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Posted in Creativity, Productivity

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How Do You Spend Your Cognitive Surplus?

Posted on April 12, 2012 | 4 Comments

I love serendipity.

Now that the weather is getting warmer I’ve been thinking about last year’s Summer of Small Voices.  I knew I wanted to host another showcase this summer but was having a hard time coming up with a theme.

Then, while working on a lesson for the LHF Greenhouse, I stumbled upon this TED Talk from 2010.

Clay provides several great examples of cognitive surplus in his speech and he got me thinking:  sure there are examples of people working together on big projects to impress their friends and improve their communities; but for every Wikipedia there must be countless people with amazing ideas who need a little money, a little help, or a little encouragement to turn that idea into something more than a hobby.

This summer, I’m dedicating the Low Hanging Fruit blog to helping those people (read:  you) find the “little something” they need get moving. Continue reading →

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Posted in Guest Posts, Summer Showcase

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